《妇人良方》曰∶新产之后虽无疾,宜将息,调理脾胃,进美饮食,则脏腑易平复,气血自然和调,百疾不生
也。加味四君子汤、四顺理中丸,百日之内,宜常服之。
《产宝新书》曰∶产后气血暴虚,理当大补,但恶露未尽,用补恐致滞血,唯生化汤行中有补,能生又能
化,真万全之剂也。如四物汤,产后误人多矣。地黄性滞,白芍酸寒伐生气,生化汤除此二味,加以温中行血
之剂。如产后儿枕作痛,世多用消块散血之剂,然后议补。又有消与补混施,不知旧血虽当消化,新血亦当生养。
若专攻旧,则新血转伤。世以回生丹治产,用攻血块,下胞衣,落死胎。虽见速效,其元气未免亏损。生化汤,
因药性功用而立名也。产后血块当消,而新血亦当生。若专用消,则新血不生。专用生,则旧血反滞。考诸药
性,多芎、归、桃仁三味,善攻旧血,骤生新血,佐以黑姜、炙草,引三味入于肺肝,生血利气。五味共方,
行中有补,实产后圣药也。
产妇胞衣一破,速煎一帖,候儿头下地即服,不拘半产正产。虽平安,少壮妇无恙者,俱宜服一二帖,以消
血块而生新血,自无血晕之患。若胎前素弱,至产后见危证,不厌频服,病退即止。若照常日服一帖,岂能扶将
绝之气血也。如血块痛,加肉桂三分、红花三分、益母草五钱。如产后劳甚血崩,形
色虚脱,加人参三四钱。如汗出气促,人参倍加。
慎斋按∶生化汤一方,载之《产宝新书》,凡产后一切证,俱以是方为加减,颇稳当可法,故录之。与《妇
人良方》所载,用加味四君子、四顺理中,一治产证,一治脾胃,可并参之。
The *Furen Liangfang* (Excellent Prescriptions for Women) states: After childbirth, even if there are no diseases, one should pay attention to recuperation and regulate the Spleen and Stomach, consuming nutritious food. In this way, the Zang-Fu organs will easily return to balance, Qi and Blood will naturally harmonize, and various diseases will not arise. Jiawei Sijunzi Tang (Modified Four Gentlemen Decoction) and Sishun Lizhong Wan (Four-Directional Regulating Middle Pill) are suitable for regular consumption within one hundred days postpartum.
The *Chanbao Xinshu* (New Book of Obstetrics) states: Postpartum Qi and Blood are suddenly deficient, so it is appropriate to tonify heavily. However, since lochia has not yet cleared, using tonics may cause blood stasis to stagnate. Only Shenghua Tang (Decoction for Generating the New) offers tonification within its blood-invigorating action; it can generate new blood and transform old stasis, making it a truly comprehensive remedy. Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), on the other hand, has misled many in the postpartum period. Dihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) has a cloying nature, and Baishao (White Peony Root) is sour and cold, which damages the vitalizing Qi. Shenghua Tang removes these two herbs and adds warming and blood-invigorating agents. For instance, regarding pain caused by "Erzhen" (a mass of retained blood in the uterus), people commonly use formulas that dissipate masses and invigorate blood first, before considering tonification. Others mix blood-dispersing and tonifying methods, failing to realize that while old stasis should be resolved, new blood must also be nourished. If one focuses solely on attacking the old stasis, the new blood will be damaged. People use Huisheng Dan (Revival Pill) to treat postpartum conditions, aiming to break blood masses, expel the placenta, and abort dead fetuses. Although quick effects are seen, the Yuanqi (Original Qi) inevitably suffers depletion. Shenghua Tang is named after the properties and functions of its ingredients. Postpartum blood masses should be eliminated, and new blood should be generated. If only dispersing methods are used, new blood cannot be formed; if only generating methods are used, old stasis will stagnate. Examining the properties of these herbs, the formula mainly consists of three ingredients: Chuanxiong (Szechwan Lovage Rhizome), Danggui (Chinese Angelica Root), and Taoren (Peach Kernel). These are good at attacking old stasis and rapidly generating new blood. They are assisted by Heijiang (Charred Ginger Rhizome) and Zhigancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root), which guide the three main herbs into the Lung and Liver meridians to generate blood and promote Qi flow. The five ingredients together form a prescription where invigorating blood contains tonification, making it truly the sacred medicine for postpartum care.
Once the fetal membranes rupture, decoct one dose immediately and administer it as soon as the baby's head emerges, regardless of whether it is a premature or full-term birth. Even if the delivery was smooth and the woman is young and healthy, she should still take one or two doses to eliminate blood masses and generate new blood, thereby avoiding the risk of Xueyun (blood dizziness/fainting). If the woman had weak constitution during pregnancy and presents with critical symptoms postpartum, frequent administration is acceptable until the illness recedes. If one were to take only one dose as usual, how could it support the nearly exhausted Qi and Blood? If there is pain from blood masses, add 3 fen of Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), 3 fen of Honghua (Safflower Flower), and 5 qian of Yimucao (Motherwort Herb). If severe exertion leads to metrorrhagia (profuse uterine bleeding) with physical collapse and pallor, add 3–4 qian of Renshen (Ginseng Root and Rhizome). If sweating and shortness of breath occur, double the dosage of Renshen.
Shenzhai’s commentary: The Shenghua Tang formula is recorded in the *Chanbao Xinshu*. For all postpartum conditions, this formula can be modified accordingly; it is quite stable and worthy of emulation, hence it is recorded here. It complements the *Furen Liangfang*, which recommends Jiawei Sijunzi Tang and Sishun Lizhong Wan. One treats postpartum syndromes, while the other regulates the Spleen and Stomach; they can be consulted together.